The Defender Podcast

In this episode of the Defender Podcast, hosts Rick Morton and Herbie Newell engage in a heartfelt discussion with Pastor Greg Matte of Houston’s First Baptist Church about the church’s adoption and foster care ministry. Pastor Matte shares his journey from being vocal about anti-abortion stances to actively supporting adoption as a proactive measure. He recounts the pivotal mo

Join us as we sit down with Casey Stevens, who shares his family's inspiring journey from facing infertility to adopting their first son, Alek, from Kyrgyzstan in 2016 through Lifeline Children's Services. Blessed with three more sons, Micah, Jude, and Elijah, Casey's lively and love-filled home is a testament to resilience and faith. Casey discusses how his family actively partici

On today's episode of the Defender podcast, join us for an inspiring conversation with Scott and Lynne Watson, a devoted couple with a heart for philanthropy and family. Married for over 40 years, they've embarked on incredible cycling adventures, including a 3,400-mile journey across the USA, raising $700,000 for charity. Now, they're gearing up for the BamaRama500, a 500-mile rid

In this episode of the Defender podcast, Herbie Newell and Rick Morton are joined by Jonathan Leeman from 9 Marks to discuss the importance of biblical faithfulness and caring for vulnerable children in the church. Leeman shares his insights on what it means to be a New Testament church, emphasizing the role of Christians in demonstrating justice and righteousness. The conversation

In this episode of The Defender Podcast, recorded last year at the 2023 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, host Rick Morton interviews Jeremy Carlson of WTA Media, exploring his journey in faith-based media and his family's involvement in foster care and adoption. Their connection, rooted in their collaboration on the movie "Lifemark," has evolved into a meaningful friends

In celebration of Father's Day, join us for an episode featuring Chip McKenzie, whose life underscores the profound impact of fatherhood through domestic adoption. Chip's journey has seen him navigate the twists of marriage, career transitions, and the joys of raising five children with his high school sweetheart, Melissa. Their family expanded through domestic adoption, culminatin

In this episode of The Defender Podcast, host Rick Morton sets the stage for a heartwarming conversation between Lifeline's Senior Director of International Adoption, Karla Thrasher, and special guests Amy and Jillian Hart. Listeners are invited into the intimate world of the Hart family's adoption journey, where Amy reflects on the decision to pursue international adoption and Jil

In this episode of the Defender podcast, we share an interview with children's book authors Jackie Darby and Aixa de López, creators of "Whose Am I? /¿De quién soy?" In this heartwarming episode, the authors share insights into their collaborative work, a captivating narrative that delves into adoption, redemption, and the quest for identity in Christ. The book introduces us to

In this episode of The Defender Podcast, we explore Lifeline Children's Services' Heritage Builders program alongside guests Sean and Jenny Miller. The Millers share their inspiring journey with Heritage Builders, shedding light on their personal connection and commitment to serving the foster care community. Through engaging dialogue, we uncover the holistic approach of Heritage B

In this episode of The Defender Podcast, we are joined by foster parents Matthew and Makyna Hart. They share their heartfelt journey of opening their hearts and home to vulnerable children. Against the backdrop of National Foster Care Month, we delve into Lifeline's mission to mobilize the Body of Christ to support foster families, birth families, and state caseworkers. Join us as